JANUARY 30, 2015 12:35AM
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck - Sundance 2015
Chillerpop @ Sundance Review
What if you held the keys to an old storage unit belonging one of the top
tragic
icons in rock and roll history? What if the icon's widow, notorious
for her addiction and her madness, gave them to you and said “go make a
fucking documentary?"
Writer and director Brett Morgen (Chicago 10, Crossfire Hurricane, The Kid Stays in the Picture) had exactly that opportunity, as he explained in a long introduction to his documentary film Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck.
The result was a remarkable documentary bio with a difference and an agenda. But it's an agenda worth sticking to.
The
crowning technical achievement of the film is its animation sequences.
Video clips and innovative animation, scored to alternate takes of
Nirvana songs, narrate seminal events in Cobain's life and let the
audience see his very disturbing drawings and poems. A lot of it will
make you as naseous and uncomfortable as Kurt often seemed to feel due
to his stomach issues.The other important piece of the movie was some very intimate and private footage of Kurt, Courtney and baby Frances Bean, most of which I believe was sourced from the aforementioned storage unit.
It is also well complimented by interviews with key figures in his life, including his mother, sister, step parents, an ex-girlfriend, Love, and bassist Krist Novoselic. Dave Grohl, thoughinterviewed by the director, did not make the cut. More on this below.
The public generally thinks of Kurt Cobain’s story thus: tortured childhood, tortured artist, punk rock, instant fame, infamous wife, drug addiction, "27 Club" suicide. Those who are obsessive fans or absorbed a lot of music journalism in the 1990’s (as I did) may know a little bit more.
Everyone seems to want a pat, simple picture of why he chose to commit suicide, something that makes sense in their own world:
Fragile romantic artist collapsing under the weight of stardom.
Whiny, junkie loser who didn't deserve to make it.
The corruption of punk/alternative purity when mixed with massive airplay and corporate greed.
Murder conspiracy theories.
And on and on and on. The point of this documentary was that 99% of the above are massive distortions that exist in people's heads. Here were the important takeaways:
Childhood pain. yes, he did have a painful adolescence. But was it more painful than that of the rest of us? There didn't seem to be any extraordinary or horrific circumstances. No physical abuse or poverty or alcoholism was in evidence. Just a building alienation and loneliness that any kid might feel when his or her parents split up. One thing the footage and interviews made clear was that the child Kurt was loved.
Cobain's intense pride. Novoselic stated this in no uncertain terms: Kurt would not be made a fool of, mocked, or ridiculed. In his music you tend to hear rage directed inward, poetic and defiant and deadly self-deprecation. But the picture emerging here is of someone who was very actively confrontational when offended. No surprise was the audio clip of him making dark threats against the journalists or Vanity Fair editors who exposed Courtney's heroin use while pregnant.
Not the Hole Story? This is only my stupid alterna-rock-geek nitpick. I can only imagine that his friendships with Bikini Kill's Kathleen Hanna - she was responsible for the song title "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - and romantic relationship with the same band's Tobi Vail - were highly influential in Kurt's support for feminism and progressive issues. But Montage of Heck didn't cover this. I had wanted to ask about it in the Q&A afterwards, but I didn't want to risk the wrath of Courtney Love.
I do wonder if this ommission was due to Courtney's involvement in the film. She physically assaulted Kathleen Hanna in 1995 and then went on to spread a whole bunch of vicious vitriolic lies about her. Most notoriously, her claim that Hanna asked: "Where's the baby? In the closet with an IV?"
Ditto on the lack of interviews with Grohl, although Morgen explained that schedules made it impossible to get Grohl's commentary in time for the film, and he and Courtney have buried the hatchet.
and finally...
The Family Man. The documentary establishes beyond a shadow of a doubt that Kurt was deeply, intently in search of his own family. He wanted a home life that was intimate, guarded and full of everything his childhood didn't have. It establishes that as they struggled with their demons and addictions, Kurt and Courtney loved each other and their child intensely. If you were still hanging on to the stupid conspiracy theories of Kurt and Courtney: A Documentary, you can stop now.
This was a loving family.
If Courtney isn't always honest, she's never less than raw. At the end of the film she reveals that when she had thoughts of being unfaithful, Kurt psychically knew. And soon afterwards was when his overdose in Rome occurred.
Threats to his family destroyed him.
Behind the Blog Post
It was the Sundance - and world - premiere of Montage of Heck, and I had the good fortune to be able to attend on a waitlist ticket. Mrs. Chillerpop looked out for me, and I absolutely owe her.There was plenty of star-stalking to be done, despite the fact that ticket holders were not privvy to the red carpet goings on. I spotted Norman Reedus, exuding humble rock star redneck cool. Per the writer-director, members of the Meat Puppets - whose songs were some of the most notable on the Nirvana: Unplugged album - were in attendance.
And of course, Frances Bean Cobain and Courtney Love were in the audience. Frances apparently left early, although as the director explained, she had already been shown the completed film.
And before you ask: nope. Not a peep out of the Widow Cobain. No scene, no ill behavior. By all accounts she was pleased with - and moved by - the results.
Additional Viewing
Hit So Hard - this is a documentary about Patty Schemel, the drummer for Hole, and her battle with drug addiction. Her story is fascinating. It also reveals plenty of insights about Hole, Nirvana, Courtney and Kurt.The Punk Singer - this documentary profiles Love's declared arch-nemesis Kathleen Hannah, the revolutionary Riot Grrl leader of Bikini Kill, Le Tigre and The Julie Ruin. You'll see how she was responsible for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and sets the record straight on Courtney Love's assault (which I believe over Love's account).
1991: The Year Punk Broke - nah, it was actually 1994 if you ask me. But regardless, this is a weird inside look at a Nirvana/Sonic Youth tour, featuring appearances by Iggy Pop, Joey Ramone, Babes in Toyland, Hole and if memory serves me, many more.
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Comments
What if the icon's
widow, notorious for her addiction and her madness, gave them to you and
said “go make a fucking documentary?"
Actually she told me to go fuck myself and then threw some of Kurt's "unpublished" diaries at me.
I won't ever publish them, cause well, they're full of rantings like, "That stupid cat who I met in Butte, Montana - telling me to drop my dreams of being a rock star and go back to Tacoma and go work for K-Mart! Screw you cat!! I'LL BE FAMOUS!!! LIKE ELVIS FAMOUS! AND I'LL GROW OLD AND FAT, JUST LIKE HIM! YOU'LL SEE!!
Yes, I have led an interesting life without being interesting!! WOO!! :D
Rated.
Actually she told me to go fuck myself and then threw some of Kurt's "unpublished" diaries at me.
I won't ever publish them, cause well, they're full of rantings like, "That stupid cat who I met in Butte, Montana - telling me to drop my dreams of being a rock star and go back to Tacoma and go work for K-Mart! Screw you cat!! I'LL BE FAMOUS!!! LIKE ELVIS FAMOUS! AND I'LL GROW OLD AND FAT, JUST LIKE HIM! YOU'LL SEE!!
Yes, I have led an interesting life without being interesting!! WOO!! :D
Rated.
R&R I've listened
to a whole lot of punk, from The Velvet Underground and Iggy Pop to Sid
Vicious and X, Cobain/Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Nine Inch Nails.
And here's the weirdest thing: For my money the very best punk performance I've heard was Johnny Cash's last recording covering NIN's "Hurt." In his wild and wooly early years Cash was about as punk as you could get, booze, drugs, sex and bar fights, even jail time, and his requiem track of "Hurt" says it all:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l95D7leeU3w
R&R ;-)
And here's the weirdest thing: For my money the very best punk performance I've heard was Johnny Cash's last recording covering NIN's "Hurt." In his wild and wooly early years Cash was about as punk as you could get, booze, drugs, sex and bar fights, even jail time, and his requiem track of "Hurt" says it all:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l95D7leeU3w
R&R ;-)
I understand and admire
Kurt's loyalty to his wife, Courtney, but her behaviors reinforce the
perception that she is a crazy bitch. Her daughter, Frances, had to take
out a restraining order against her mother, Courtney.
I am looking forward to seeing the documentary, "Montage Of Heck."
RRR
I am looking forward to seeing the documentary, "Montage Of Heck."
RRR
Oh Tink! Next you'll tell me that you peed in the bushes outside of Amy Winehouse's rehab clinic!
I hadn't planned on seeing it but you make it sound intriguing enough that I'm reconsidering. Nice review Chiller.
Jmac - for sure!
Johnny Cash transcends all labels! ( and glad to hear you listen to X.
Can there be a voice more golden than John Doe's)
Littlewillie - yep.
Theres plenty of evidence that Courtney is one messed up human, no
question. But in any given person's story are different sides and
shades. I think the director just wanted to show that this was indeed a
family.
Abra let us know what you think.
There is a big sign
welcoming visitors to Aberdeen, lauding Cobain, as they enter his former
home town set at the edge of Gray's Harbor. I was surprised to see that
two years back when heading up there for a weekend.
In the early 70's myself and a couple of musician friends were asked to move along by the police for busking mid-day in a parking lot in Olympia. My artist friend owned the lot behind his studio so it worked out. Nearly two decades later Cobain and crew before the giant fame would do the same thing and then end up sleeping in their van.
In the early 70's myself and a couple of musician friends were asked to move along by the police for busking mid-day in a parking lot in Olympia. My artist friend owned the lot behind his studio so it worked out. Nearly two decades later Cobain and crew before the giant fame would do the same thing and then end up sleeping in their van.
Very cool, aka. The relationships that famous musicians have w their hometown is always fascinating
Thanks for this,
Chiller; it's a wealth of interesting and pertinent information. Mr.
Morgan seemingly fell into some big-time luck, and, from your
description, appears to have made the most of it, humanizing and
honoring its subject. BTW: did you see Courtney Love in "Sons of
Anarchy" playing an elementary school teacher? It was a role that
vectored 180 degrees from her public persona, and I thought she was
outstanding.
I found this of
interest because it is a thoughtfully written piece. Not being a punk
rock fan, I really don't know too much about the Cobain family or his
passing, but you obviously have an intelligent take on his work, his
life, and this film.
Peace to you
R
Peace to you
R
@jerry - no way! Wow, now I have to watch it. Here I was thinking she would be playing a crazy biker mama.
@pw thank you! Peace to you as well
@pw thank you! Peace to you as well
Thanks so much for your
insights on this flick which I am quite eager to see (and lucky you
getting into the Sundance premiere!). You’ve touched on a few things
that I haven’t yet read elsewhere about the film’s content. I’ve also
been reading that a re-edited, Grohl-inclusive cut will be coming, as it
should.
It’s getting across-the-board raves, not surprisingly for me as Morgen’s “The Kid Stays In The Picture” is a superbly executed and entertaining documentary about Robert Evans. One of my favourite docs, and I'm a documentary-head.
I saw Hole shortly after the Widow Cobain/Kathleen Hanna fisticuffs, with Courtney replete in an arm cast and extra pissed that she couldn’t really play guitar during the set.
It’s getting across-the-board raves, not surprisingly for me as Morgen’s “The Kid Stays In The Picture” is a superbly executed and entertaining documentary about Robert Evans. One of my favourite docs, and I'm a documentary-head.
I saw Hole shortly after the Widow Cobain/Kathleen Hanna fisticuffs, with Courtney replete in an arm cast and extra pissed that she couldn’t really play guitar during the set.
Thanks. Flawed dude needed to start over...
Glad you scored the tickets. Great review, as usual.
My friend's brother had a short at Sundance. It was about GMOs. it's supposed to be released for TV, but who knows.
I am waiting for the Scientology release and hoping it's as awful and freaky as I think it will be.
/r.
My friend's brother had a short at Sundance. It was about GMOs. it's supposed to be released for TV, but who knows.
I am waiting for the Scientology release and hoping it's as awful and freaky as I think it will be.
/r.
@VA - yep. He
mentioned a Grohl inclusive cut. I don't see why not, although
ultimately I'm not sure he's that important to the story. And the
director claimed that the Widow Cobain - whom I also saw on that
Lollapalooza show in NYC - watched "Kid Stays in the Picture" several
times over. Thanks for stopping by, buddy.
@tg within - if only all of us flawed dudes could start over.
@OIT - wish I'd been able to catch your friend's short. And I'm also waiting on the Scientology doc with baited breath! Need to read the book first, though.
@tg within - if only all of us flawed dudes could start over.
@OIT - wish I'd been able to catch your friend's short. And I'm also waiting on the Scientology doc with baited breath! Need to read the book first, though.
Yes, dear, with baited breath
ReplyDeletedost do I wait for THE Return
of the King. God bless you.
Shouldnt be long now, me just
and jolly liege. You ready??